Why the latest Instagram update, labelled as helping to better ‘connect with friends’ could have dangerous consequences for your privacy
by CEO & Founder of FARQ, Georgia Farquharson
Earlier this month, I woke up to the news that quite literally made my stomach drop. Overnight, Meta – the company behind Instagram – rolled out an update that, without warning, allows your followers to see your exact location, down to the street.
No pop-up alert, no opt-in screen to warn users of this huge update to their personal privacy, and for many, safety – just a quiet change which they said was made to ‘help you better connect with your friends on Instagram.’
For many, their privacy could have already been compromised before they realised its impact.
For the average Instagram user, this level of tracking is deeply invasive. For creators, influencers, journalists, or public figures – anyone whose work or lifestyle involves sharing aspects of their life online – it’s simply dangerous.
Last month my agency, FARQ, were recognised as ‘Boutique Agency of the Year’ at the Global Influencer Marketing Awards. We believe that the relationships we build with our talent is truly something that sets us apart. And when you feel invested in creators as people, an update like this hits a little different.
Let me explain.
In the new update, when you go into your DMs, you’ll see a little map next to each conversation. Click it, and you can zoom in to see that person’s location in real time. Not just the city, but the street, the building, the doorstep.
It doesn’t take much imagination to understand the implications. Stalking, harassment, theft, even physical harm. All of these risks suddenly become a lot more real when strangers, acquaintances, or even toxic ex-partners can pinpoint exactly where you are at any given moment.
Creators already navigate a delicate balancing act between being visible enough to build their audience, and private enough to keep their personal lives and personal safety intact. This change has the potential to blow that balance to pieces.
Instagram vs. reality
At FARQ, community is something that’s part of who we are. Being a creator can be a lonely and isolating industry, and we do our best to bring our talent together – share knowledge, wins, highs and lows.
One way we stay connected is via a group WhatsApp, which has all our talent plus the FARQ team. The morning after the update was announced it was clear from the conversations and questions asked that many of them felt unsettled and exposed.
Whilst the update impacts every user on Instagram, it particularly endangers women, LGBTQ+ creators, and marginalised groups, who already face disproportionate levels of online harassment.
What you can do right now
For years, we’ve been told that our safety online matters. That platforms are investing in tools to protect us from harassment, abuse, and exploitation. But this? This feels like the digital equivalent of leaving your front door open and posting the address on a public noticeboard.
The good news is: there are steps you can take immediately to protect yourself.
- Disable Instagram’s location services on your phone
If you’re on an iPhone, head to:
Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > Instagram > Never.
- Watch out for the update.
Once it hits your account, find the location-sharing toggle in your DMs (if Meta even provides one) and switch it off straight away.
- Spread the word.
Most people won’t know this change has happened until it’s too late. Tell your friends, your family, your followers. This is one update worth making noise about.
A change with impact
There are so many brilliant things I could list about Instagram. From giving its users the opportunity to create incredible online careers, be inspired, entertained, make announcements and stay connected – to name just a few positives. It plays a big role in many of our day to day lives.
But the update from Meta that came last week was something I just can’t get on board with – especially given the lack of real awareness attempted to highlight what is and could be a change with impact, and a dangerous one at that.
